Mission Statement

The mission of this program is to ensure students living in transition the greatest level of academic success possible in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act.

What are schools required to do?

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act and ESSA outlines requirements for schools.

  • Schools must keep children in their school of origin (the school attended when permanently housed or last enrolled) to the extent feasible, except where contrary to the wishes of the parent/guardian. The student's right to attend their school of origin extends to the entire duration of McKinney-Vento eligibility.

  • Schools must remove any barriers that contribute to exclusion or enrollment delay. This means schools are required to immediately enroll children and youth experiencing homelessness.

  • Each school district must identify a McKinney-Vento Liaision.

  • Each school must post public notice of educational rights of McKinney-Vento eligible students.

  • Schools must ensure enrollment with full and equal opportunity to succeed in school (e.g. Head Start, Even Start, pre-school, health care, dental, mental health, etc.)

McKinney-Vento Eligible Students

Barriers

Children and youth living in transitional situations encounter many barriers to enrollment and school success, including:

  • Lack of transportation
  • Lack of immunization and medical records
  • Lack of school records
  • State guardianship/residency requirements not uniformly interpreted by schools
  • Lack of birth certificate
  • Attendance policies
  • Secondary school credit accrual
  • Frequent mobility
  • Lack of staff awareness and sensitivity
  • Lack of psychological services
  • Poor health care and inadequate medical care
  • Physical needs such as food, clothing, shelter, health care
  • Access to special programs and services (Special Education, Head Start, Gifted and Talented, Even Start, ESOL, and Title I)

Comparable Services

McKinney-Vento eligible children and youths must receive comparable services to those received by all other children including:

Comparable Services

  • Transportation
  • Educational Services
  • Meals through school nutrition services

Additional Services

  • Assistance obtaining documentation
  • FAFSA application assistance
  • Individual tutoring available
  • Health services referrals
  • Assistance with school communications
Contact Us

For more information about the McKinney-Vento Program or if you need assistance due to your living situation, please contact us at 850-983-5150 x3450 or by email at stonedn@santarosa.k12.fl.us